Weavers in Matabesi village, East Nusa Tenggara, seldom leave their homes. Their houses are where they spin cotton into thread. They use their yards to grow plants for use as fabric dyes. "We also plant the cotton ourselves," Ima Ita, 42, told Tempo two weeks ago. Ima's hands were covered with dark red liquid. She had just finished dyeing thread with a solution of Indian mulberry root (Morinda citrifolia).

Oliva Buik, 46, another weaver, said she use